Thread: British subject, America listed as "where born" on census,?

I have managed to find my great x2 grandfather on the 1851 census, and his father is listed as being John Dugan (b. 1825) a beer house keeper in Portsea, Hants. In the "where born"coloumn it says British Subject, America.
Does anyone have any ideas as to what this means, I am assuming it means he was born in the US to british parents, but why is he listed like that and how would I find out what he was doing in America and about his birth and parents etc..
I know it's a big ask but if anyone can help me that would be great ,
Also if anyone could look on the 1841 census and see if the family are back in England, that would maybe help?

Thank you x

1841
Name:John Dugas
[John Dugan] Age:16Estimated birth year:abt 1825Gender:MaleCivil parish:Portsea TownHundred:Portsmouth BoroughCounty/Island:HampshireCountry:EnglandStreet

Registration district:Portsea IslandSub-registration district:Landport and Southern Household Members:NameAgeWillm Dugas49 painter Isabella Dugas51James Dugas20carpenter John Dugas painter 16Fredk Dougan15painter George Dougan9



william and the last two children are born in county. isabelle and the first two children are born out of county
Source Citation: Class: HO107; Piece 414; Book: 2; Civil Parish: Portsea Town; County: Hampshire; Enumeration District: 5; Folio: 38; Page: 28; Line: 25; GSU roll: 288811.

i see him on 1871, 1881 etc . and death in 1901. do you have these ?

in 1851 he is beer house keeper married to frances
in 1861 he is a painter married to frances
in 1871 he is a painter married to louisa
1n 1881 he is a painter boarding with thomas dugan - married although wife isnt there

isabeella hunt married william henry dugan st marys portsea 08 april 1811 died southsea , portsmouth 1864

one of their childrens baptisms
Name: William Henry Dugan
Gender: Male
Baptism/Christening Date: 01 May 1814
Baptism/Christening Place: St. Mary's, Portsea, Hampshire, England
Father's Name: William Henry Dugan
Mother's Name: Isabella Dugan

Indexing Project (Batch) Number: C02277-4
System Origin: England-EASy
Source Film Number: 1596292
Reference Number: item 3 p 43
Collection: England Births and Christenings, 1538-1975

sorry it says keat

Groom's Name: William Henry Dugan
Bride's Name: Isabella Keat
Marriage Date: 08 Apr 1811
Marriage Place: Saint Marys,Portsea,Hampshire,England

Indexing Project (Batch) Number: M06261-2
System Origin: England-ODM
Source Film Number: 919747
Reference Number:
Collection: England Marriages, 1538–1973

this might be brother james baptism??
Name: James Dugan
Gender: Male
Baptism/Christening Date:
Baptism/Christening Place:
Birth Date: 01 May 1821
Birthplace: SOUTSEA EBENEZER BAPTIST,PORTSMOUTH,HAMPSHIRE,ENGLAND

Indexing Project (Batch) Number: C09136-1
System Origin: England-ODM
Source Film Number: 595457
Reference Number:
Collection: England Births and Christenings, 1538-1975

and brother frederick
Name: Frederick Dugan
Gender: Male
Baptism/Christening Date:
Baptism/Christening Place:
Birth Date: 08 Dec 1826
Birthplace: SOUTSEA EBENEZER BAPTIST,PORTSMOUTH,HAMPSHIRE,ENGLAND
Death Date:

Indexing Project (Batch) Number: C09136-1
System Origin: England-ODM
Source Film Number: 595457
Reference Number:
Collection: England Births and Christenings, 1538-1975

and johns marriage to francis
Groom's Name: John Dugan
Groom's Birth Date:
Groom's Birthplace:
Groom's Age:
Bride's Name: Frances Figgins
Bride's Birth Date:
Bride's Birthplace:
Bride's Age:
Marriage Date: 19 Sep 1847
Marriage Place: Saint Marys,Portsea,Hampshire,England

Indexing Project (Batch) Number: M06261-3
System Origin: England-ODM
Source Film Number: 919755
Reference Number:
Collection: England Marriages, 1538–1973

and marriage to louisa
Groom's Name: John Dugan
Groom's Birth Date: 1830
Groom's Birthplace:
Groom's Age: 32
Bride's Name: Louisa Jane Hume
Bride's Birth Date: 1840
Bride's Birthplace:
Bride's Age: 22
Marriage Date: 10 Aug 1862
Marriage Place: Saint Marys,Portsea,Hampshire,England
Indexing Project (Batch) Number: M06261-4
System Origin: England-ODM
Source Film Number: 919760
Reference Number:
Collection: England Marriages, 1538–1973

johns baptism
Name: John Dugan
Gender: Male
Baptism/Christening Date:
Baptism/Christening Place:
Birth Date: 04 May 1824
Birthplace: SOUTSEA EBENEZER BAPTIST,PORTSMOUTH,HAMPSHIRE,ENGLAND

Indexing Project (Batch) Number: C09136-1
System Origin: England-ODM
Source Film Number: 595457
Reference Number:
Collection: England Births and Christenings, 1538-1975